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A big boost in auto and commercial lending provided a second-quarter jolt to Huntington Bancshares earnings and the bank’s stock.

Huntington’s profit rose 9 percent to $165 million, or 19 cents per share, for the quarter that ended June 30. Revenue rose 5 percent to $716.8 million for the quarter.

The results topped analysts’ estimates of earnings of 18 cents per share and revenue of $693 million. Huntington’s stock climbed nearly 5 percent, or 45 cents, to $9.75 in trading yesterday, not far from a multiyear high of $10.29 that it reached this spring.

“Huntington had a great second quarter. We executed our strategies and delivered strong results,” Steve Steinour, the bank’s chairman, president and CEO, told analysts on a conference call. “This industry is dealing with a challenging environment, but this is a quarter when many of our cylinders were firing and demonstrate that many of our investments over the past several years are paying off.”

Auto loans rose by 39 percent in the quarter compared with the second quarter of 2013 and commercial lending was up by 7 percent, according to the bank. The bank has become the No. 1 Small Business Administration lender in the U.S. even though Huntington operates in just the Midwest.

“We never thought we would be the No. 1 Small Business lender,” he said. “It’s not a goal. The impact of that helps business growth, and that’s very important to our regional economy.”

Overall, lending increased by $3.7 billion in the quarter, gains that the bank said reflected heightened consumer and business confidence, along with the success of its specialty business segments that focus on sectors like energy and food, he said.

“We see stronger pipelines. There is clearly an expansion of the manufacturing sector that is sustaining itself. The energy play ... is very early and it’s going to be more robust,” he said.

“I thought it was a good quarter for the company, solid earnings,” said Mark Nolan, vice president of ratings agency DBRS. “Asset quality remains sound and when I look at the company they have resilient earnings. ... As long as we see decent loan growth, earnings will be pretty solid going forward.”

Nolan wasn’t surprised about strength of Huntington’s lending, noting that other regional banks have reported similar gains.

“Generally, you’re seeing most of the regionals showing loan growth, solid commercial and auto,” he said.